Following the death by suicide of their daughter Terri, Gerald and Elsie Weyrauch of Marietta, Georgia, became involved with various suicide prevention organizations. They became frustrated with the failure of these groups to recognize the importance of advocacy – the need to mobilize survivors to create the “political will” to support suicide prevention. So in 1996 they incorporated the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (later changed to Suicide Prevention Action Network) to raise awareness, build political will, and call for federal action to create a national strategy to address suicide in the nation. Over the next few years, their grassroots advocacy initiative convinced Congress to pass resolutions making suicide prevention a national priority, leading to the first federal interagency conference on suicide prevention (the Reno conference) and the creation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Since SPAN USA has become the “visible voice of survivors” in the Nation’s capital, it has become a well-known and respected presence on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, and among the host of health and mental health organizations active in national policy. This success has resulted not only from its highly professional Washington operation, but from its effective program to involve and marshal the participation of survivors and other supporters around the country.

Because of SPAN USA suicide is no longer a stepchild of general mental health programs. Federal agencies now have dedicated staff working on suicide prevention as a federal priority, and providing resources to suicide prevention efforts throughout the nation. And grassroots advocates in states and communities now have the support they need to demand action to help prevent suicide. SPAN USA honors its roots in the pain of survivors and their determination to prevent further tragedies, by assuring that grassroots voices are heard in Washington.

Since her family came into office, First Lady Jeannie Ritter has been tireless in her pursuit to promote mental health in the State of Colorado.  With a family history of mental illness, this crusade is personal to her, but she also understands the far reaching public health effects when mental health issues are not addressed.  "It touches everything," Ritter says. "You can't have a discussion about children, schools, families, employment, seniors, criminal justice, substance abuse, medical health, even global warming, without talking about the mental health connections." 

Mrs. Ritter uses honesty, humor, interaction and a personable style to engage people in dialogue about the difficult issues related to mental health.  She has held scores of meetings during her “listening tours” across the state – convening with mental health providers, consumers, government officials, law enforcement personnel, high school communities, and concerned families.  Her goals: to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and to close the gaps in mental health treatment.

Because of her candor and credibility, Mrs. Ritter is bringing much needed attention and a momentum toward social change in mental health for Colorado.

With a commitment to community health, 9 News (Denver’s NBC affiliate) has been a media leader promoting mental health and preventing suicide with responsible coverage of these challenging issues.  In the past two years, 9 News has run dozens of pieces that highlight salient issues in the field and offer resources for people to get involved and get help.  For instance 9 News: